Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Organic Functions: Ether

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is essential to direct students' focus to the most important aspects of the study of ethers. By establishing clear objectives, students will be able to better guide their prior studies and participate more actively in the proposed classroom activities, applying the acquired knowledge effectively.

Main Objectives:

1. Ensure that students understand the chemical structure of ethers, identifying the presence of an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups.

2. Describe the main physical and chemical properties of ethers, such as solubility, boiling point, and reactivity.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage the application of knowledge in practical situations through examples and exercises during the class.
2. Stimulate the ability to relate the chemical structure of ethers to their properties and uses in everyday life.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students and review key concepts about ethers to ensure a solid foundation before advancing to more complex activities. The problem situations are designed to stimulate critical thinking and the application of prior knowledge, while the contextualization seeks to connect theoretical content with the real world, increasing interest and relevance of the topic for students.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Suppose a chemist is developing a new perfume and needs to choose between using an ether or an alcohol as a solvent. What properties of ethers would help him make this decision?

2. Imagine a food company wants to improve the solubility of certain flavors in their beverages without altering the taste. How can the structure of ethers be advantageous in this context?

Contextualization

Ethers are compounds that, in addition to their academic relevance, have significant practical applications, such as in solvents for pharmaceuticals and fragrances. Historically, the first anesthetic ether, diethyl ether, was used in medicine, revolutionizing surgical procedures by offering a safer and more controlled form of anesthesia. These tangible examples help understand not only the theory but also the real impact of these compounds in everyday life and in the industry.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The development stage is designed for students to practically and playfully apply the theoretical knowledge about ethers acquired before the class. Through the proposed activities, students will engage in situations that require critical analysis, teamwork, and direct application of concepts in varied contexts, from solving a mystery to building molecular models and a treasure hunt. This active learning method aims to consolidate knowledge and develop analytical and presentation skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Mystery of Ethers: The Missing Perfume

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge about the properties of ethers to solve a practical problem and stimulate critical thinking.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups to solve the mystery of the missing perfume using their knowledge of ethers. A series of clues based on the chemical and physical properties of ethers will lead students to discover which ether was used in the formulation of a stolen perfume.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute to each group an envelope containing different clues about ethers.

• Each clue describes a property of a different ether that may be related to the perfume.

• Students must use the clues to determine which ether corresponds to the missing perfume.

• Each group will present their conclusions and justifications based on the properties of the ethers.

Activity 2 - Ether Builders: Molecular Engineering

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand the relationship between chemical structure and the physicochemical properties of ethers, promoting teamwork and presentation skills.

- Description: In this challenge, student groups will use molecular modeling kits to build models of different ethers. They must predict and discuss the physical and chemical properties based on the structure they built, relating them to possible uses in daily life or in industry.

- Instructions:

• Provide molecular modeling kits for each group.

• Randomly choose different ethers that each group will model.

• Students build the models and discuss the expected properties among themselves.

• Each group presents their model and conclusions to the class.

• Promote a discussion on how structure influences the properties and uses of ethers.

Activity 3 - Ethers in Everyday Life: A Treasure Hunt

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Identify and understand the various applications of ethers in everyday life, fostering active learning and collaboration among students.

- Description: Students will participate in a treasure hunt within the school, where they must find objects that contain or represent ethers. Each object will have a description of how the ether is involved in its composition or use, and students must explain this upon finding the object.

- Instructions:

• Prepare in advance objects or cards that represent the application of ethers in various products.

• Hide the objects in predefined locations within the school.

• Divide students into groups and give them maps with tips to find the objects.

• As they find the objects, students must discuss and record how ethers are used related to each item.

• At the end, each group presents their discoveries and learnings.

Feedback

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to allow students to reflect on the learning that occurred during the practical activities and consolidate their understanding of the properties and applications of ethers. The group discussion facilitates the exchange of ideas and deepens knowledge, allowing students to see how their peers approached the same problems and how different perspectives can enrich understanding of the topic.

Group Discussion

After completing the practical activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start by briefly recapping each activity carried out and what each group discovered or constructed. Encourage students to share insights and observations about the properties and applications of ethers that emerged during the activities. Use key questions to guide the discussion and ensure that all important points are covered.

Key Questions

1. What were the properties of ethers that most influenced their applications in the carried-out activities?

2. How does the molecular structure of ethers affect their physical and chemical properties and, consequently, their practical uses?

3. What challenges did you encounter when applying your theoretical knowledge about ethers in the practical activities, and how did you overcome them?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this concluding stage is to consolidate students' learning, ensuring that they can link theoretical concepts with practical applications and understand the importance of ethers outside the academic environment. By recapping the main points and emphasizing connections between theory and practice, students are encouraged to value and remember what they have learned, preparing them for future applications of this knowledge.

Summary

In this final stage of the lesson, the teacher should summarize and recap the main content presented about ethers, emphasizing the chemical structure of these compounds, their physical and chemical properties, and their practical applications. It is crucial to reiterate how the oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups defines the classification of a compound as an ether and to briefly discuss specific examples mentioned during the practical activities.

Theory Connection

The teacher should explain how today's lesson connected theory with practice through interactive activities such as solving mysteries, molecular modeling, and the treasure hunt, which allowed students to directly apply theoretical knowledge in practical and realistic scenarios. This approach not only facilitates understanding and retention of chemical concepts but also demonstrates the relevance of ethers in various industrial and everyday applications.

Closing

Finally, the teacher should highlight the importance of ethers in everyday life, emphasizing how these compounds are essential in various industries, from perfume manufacturing to their use as solvents in chemical processes, stressing the relevance of the learning for the future professional or academic applications of the students.